The word “microplastic” makes it sound like a small problem. In reality, it’s anything but. These tiny bits of plastic (smaller than 5mm) often aren’t perceptible to the human eye, yet scientists have found them everywhere. In our food, our water, the air we breath, and increasingly, in our bodies.

Research is still catching up, but early findings point to risks for our health as microplastics continue to accumulate in our environment and in us.

While the science continues, there are steps we can take right now to limit exposure:

Avoid Eating Microplastics

• Don’t microwave food in plastic. Heat causes plastics to release BPA, phthalates, and microplastics into your food. Use glass or ceramic instead.
• Skip plastic food storage. Opt for stainless steel, glass, or paper to reduce the risk of microplastics seeping into your food before you consume it.
• Use bamboo or wood cutting boards. They last longer, look beautiful, keep your knives sharper, and won’t shed harmful particles into your food.

Avoid Drinking Microplastics

• Don’t drink from plastic water bottles. Choose reusable steel or glass bottles and stick to tap water when you can.
• Use an NSF-certified water filter. Many options on the market still contain a little plastic (isn’t it ironic), but they cut back on contamination. For a zero-plastic option, try these activated charcoal sticks.
• Go loose leaf. A lot of tea bags are made of plastic, and even the tea bags made of paper may have plastics in the glue holding them together. When plastic gets hot (like when it’s exposed to boiling water), it releases microplastics and harmful chemicals.
• Bring your own cup or mug. Paper takeout cups are coated in sythetic wax, making them unrecyclable, and releasing microplastics into your drink, which then gets into your digestive system.

Avoid Microplastics at Home

• Wash plastic containers by hand. Dishwashers get very hot to help kill germs, but that heat can also… say it with me now: release microplastics.
• Control dust. Some dust is just dead skin or pet hair, but some could be particulates from the plastic that gets used in everyday life. Use a damp cloth or some all-purpose cleaning spray when cleaning surfaces to avoid kicking the dust right back up into the air.
• Opt for natural fibers. Organic cotton, linen, hemp, or wool, don’t shed synthetic microfibers in your wastewater when you do laundry. You can also install a filter or get something to put in your machine that will sort out the plastics and prevent them from going into your greywater system.

Most Importantly:

Support legislation, policy changes, and social movements that aim to reduce single-use plastics.

You are a brave and vigilant environmentalist who stays on top of your own impact on the earth, but not everyone has the ability to do so. Similarly, not everyone can use these tips to protect themselves from excess microplastic exposure, and they shouldn’t have to (and neither should you!)

Fighting for systematic change in plastic use is probably the single most important way that we can reduce microplastics in our lives and the lives of people all over the world.

Vive la révolution!

Sources:
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/02/427161/how-to-limit-microplastics-dangers
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/how-to-avoid-eating-microplastics
https://www.ecowatch.com/avoid-microplastics-at-home-2655282616.html
https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-container-health-risk-2653620879.html

Menstrual products are a fact of life, but the vast majority are also a sneaky source of pollutants, both in the world and in your body.

Here’s the reality (according to the WHO):

• Tampons and pads are now made of 90% plastic.
• Production and disposal pumps out over 270,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) every year.
• More than 80% of menstrual care products end up in landfills.
• Disposable pads alone will take 500-800 years to break down.

On top of that, many contain toxins like heavy metals and bleaching chemicals that can invade the body and increase the risk of disease.

It’s a heavy truth. But here’s the good news: healthier, lower-waste options do exist.

Safer Choices for Every Body

Period care is personal so we offer a wide range of products that will fit into your routine and drastically reduce your exposure to toxins and plastics.

Reusable Options

Reusables last much longer (like, decades), meaning a slightly larger upfront investment, but BIG savings over time. There’s also the freedom of not having to add pads or tampons to your shopping list every month. Reusables are right there for you when you need them.

Making the switch cuts a huge chunk of menstrual product waste, and keeps unnecessary toxins out of your body. From washable pads to period panties to silicone cups and discs, each reusable option offers reliability, comfort, and peace of mind.

Reusable Pad
Why it’s better:

Plastic-free, toxin-free, and made to last.

Machine washable, with a metal closure for extra durability.

EveryWEAR Leakproof Cotton Brief*
Why it’s better:

Comfortable and undetectable.

PFAS-free (some period underwear is treated with PFAS to keep it waterproof).

Great for periods and bladder leaks, with sizes from XS-XXL.

Menstrual Disc or Cup*
Why it’s better:

Made with 100% medical grade silicone, which is non-porous, durable, flexible, and easy to clean.

Designed to be safe for long-term contact with the body and can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time.

Cups are great for beginners, while discs are ideal for heavy flow.

Organic Cotton Tampons

If tampons are your preference, just know you don’t have to settle for plastic applicators, mystery ingredients, and polyester blends in sensitive places.

Organic Cotton Tampon
Why it’s better:

No toxins, no hidden ingredients, and no single-use plastic.

A great option for those who are loyal tampon users that are looking for maximum impact with minimal change from their current routine.

Finding What Works for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to your cycle. We encourage you to mix and match according to your personal daily and monthly routines.

Think of it like having a toolbox: you can reach for what you need, when you need it, and know you’ve got the right tool for the job.

Whatever menstrual care looks like for you, we hope these earth-friendly options help make your cycles plastic-free. Period.

Beyond Your Cycle: Fighting Period Poverty

*Saalt products (like our leakproof underwear, menstrual discs and cups, and menstrual disc/cup wash) don’t just make your life better, they also help improve conditions for girls all over the world who are suffering from period poverty. Since Saalt’s launch in 2018, the company has donated over 140,000 Saalt products to women and girls in need in 50 countries!

Sources:
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/bulletin/online-first/blt.24.291421.pdf